Technical Writer salary in Virginia
Technical Writers in Virginia earn a median of $93,600 a year ($45.00 an hour), based on BLS data for 2,280 workers.
Pay ranges from $60,930 for the lowest-paid 10% to $139,470 for the top 10%. That is 4% higher than the national median of $90,390. Virginia ranks 13th of 45 states for technical writers pay. There are 0.56 technical writers per 1,000 jobs here — the job is 1.9× more common than nationally. The average (mean) salary is $97,090, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for technical writers in Virginia
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $60,930 | $29.29 |
| 25th percentile | $75,510 | $36.30 |
| Median | $93,600 | $45.00 |
| 75th percentile | $113,510 | $54.57 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $139,470 | $67.05 |
| Average (mean) | $97,090 | $46.68 |
Half of technical writers earn more than the median and half earn less. Percentiles show the spread: 10% earn less than the 10th percentile, and 10% earn more than the 90th.
Median paycheck, before taxes
| Pay period | Amount |
|---|---|
| Monthly | $7,800 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $3,900 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $3,600 |
| Weekly | $1,800 |
| Hourly | $45.00 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Technical Writer salary in cities in Virginia
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV | $99,910 | 2,370 |
| Charlottesville, VA | $93,530 | 40 |
| Virginia Beach-Chesapeake-Norfolk, VA-NC | $79,340 | 350 |
| Richmond, VA | $79,200 | 180 |
Highest-paying states for technical writers
| State | Median salary |
|---|---|
| New Jersey | $122,320 |
| District of Columbia | $117,810 |
| Massachusetts | $109,200 |
| Washington | $104,070 |
| California | $104,000 |
| Rhode Island | $102,360 |
| Connecticut | $101,870 |
| Maryland | $100,990 |
| Colorado | $100,610 |
| New York | $98,310 |
Related jobs in Virginia
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Public Relations Specialist | $80,380 | $38.65 |
| Editor | $80,590 | $38.74 |
| Interpreters and Translators | $63,030 | $30.30 |
| Writers and Authors | $85,000 | $40.87 |
| News Analysts, Reporters, and Journalists | $62,140 | $29.87 |
| Broadcast Announcers and Radio Disc Jockeys | $44,400 | $21.35 |
| Court Reporters and Simultaneous Captioners | $55,210 | $26.54 |
| Media and Communication Workers, All Other | $69,420 | $33.37 |
| Coaches and Scouts | $46,290 | — |
| Graphic Designer | $72,310 | $34.77 |
| Merchandise Displayers and Window Trimmers | $37,750 | $18.15 |
| Producers and Directors | $65,900 | $31.69 |
| Audio and Video Technicians | $53,960 | $25.94 |
| Photographer | $46,550 | $22.38 |
More: Arts, Design, Entertainment, Sports, and Media Occupations · all salaries in Virginia
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 estimates, occupation code 27-3042. Wages include base pay, tips, commissions and shift pay, but not overtime, bonuses or benefits, and exclude the self-employed.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a technical writer make in Virginia?
The median salary for technical writers in Virginia is $93,600 a year, or $45.00 an hour. Pay ranges from $60,930 for the lowest-paid 10% to $139,470 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid technical writers make in Virginia?
The top 10% of technical writers in Virginia earn at least $139,470 a year. The top 25% earn $113,510 or more.
What is the starting pay for technical writers in Virginia?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $60,930 a year, and a quarter of technical writers earn $75,510 or less.
How many technical writers work in Virginia?
About 2,280 technical writers are employed in Virginia, not counting the self-employed.